3 county teams know their path to state finals (updated)

No one liked the pod system the NCHSAA used for football pairings in recent years very much. Now weíll see how things go with seeding the teams.

Playoff brackets for the eight N.C. high school football championships were announced Saturday afternoon and as expected all three Cleveland County entries drew first-round home games.

SMAC champion Crest (10-1) will play host to Hickory Ridge (4-7) in the 3AA division, Burns (10-1) is set to entertain North Gaston (6-5) in the 3A class, with Shelby (7-4) welcoming Mountain Heritage (7-4) in the 2A ranks.

It marks the 21st consecutive season that both Crest and Shelby have reached the postseason. Burns has made it 11 of the past 12 years.

As the overall No. 1 seed in 3AA, the coach Mark Barnes' Chargers could play at home four consecutive weeks if they march ahead.

Burns was handed the No. 6 3A spot and if seedings hold true, coach Matt Beam's Bulldogs would be on the road in the second round.

Thatís the same situation that coach Lance Ware's Shelby squad, as the No. 6 team in the 2A division, faces. Any upset though could change things.

After the initial round, things could get a bit interesting. Crest would face either Erwin (9-1) or Ashbrook (8-3) in the next round.

Burns could gain a matchup with either unbeaten South Point or West Rowan (6-5) in the second round.

Shelby would draw either North Wilkes (9-2) or Brevard (5-6) in a second-round engagement.

R-S Central was the only other SMAC team to reach the postseason. The Hilltoppers (5-5) go in as the No. 15 2AA seed and travel to face No. 2 Monroe (9-2).

The Thomas Jefferson Gryphons (8-3) bagged a No. 3 seed in the 1A playoffs. TJCA will host Andrews (4-7) in the first round. The winner draws either Robbinsville (9-2) or Hayesville (4-7).

Cherryville (5-6), the South Piedmont co-champs, received the No. 3 1AA berth. The Ironmen host conference foe Highland Tech (1-10) in the opening round. A win puts Cherryville against either Starmount (8-3) or Mitchell (1-10).

All the playoff action leads to championship weekend, Dec. 13-14, when the eight title winners will be crowned with games at UNCís Kenan Stadium, N.C. Stateís Carter-Finley Stadium or Wake Forestís BB&T Field.